Save Paxton House Appeal

21 May 2020

Article

Paxton House and Gardens represent a unique Borderlands treasure. Donated to the nation ‘for their benefit and enjoyment’ in 1988, its role at the heart of the community has continued to grow. Somewhere offering outdoor beauty and safe space for all the family to enjoy has never been needed more and we are eager to provide it.

But Paxton House is not financially guaranteed. It is a charity.

It relies on the charitable trust and volunteers. They are almost entirely dependent for survival on visitor attendance and donations – around 90% of their revenue comes from paying visitors.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to help fight the virus spread, they have had to close our doors. This has hit Paxton hard financially and is why they’re looking for your help to survive.

Ian Marrian, Chairman of the Trustees, commented, “We want to reopen as soon as it’s safe for all and we’ll have to invest to ensure that safety. We cannot compromise on the conservation of our nationally significant collections and the glorious natural landscape. But every day without income makes survival a greater challenge”.

To survive, the trust needs to raise at least £20,000 by the start of summer, June 20th. This money is needed to cover the essential running costs for 2020. Like all many other businesses, Paxton cannot simply switch off, it still has to pay for insurance, basic security and grounds maintenance. Even though the trust has reduced its outgoings to a minimal amount, it is impossible to have no costs while the house is shut.

Ian Marrian added, “We would be so grateful for any gift you might make towards that target. Paxton House needs to raise funds for this covid-19 campaign and for other charitable purposes. The trust is also working extremely hard on a wider fundraising strategy to secure grant aid to cover the essential running costs. We hope that if and when we reopen, we can with your help and attendance, make these strange times a little happier”.

* Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme (Charity No: 1149800), operating as DONATE. Texts will be charged at your standard network rate. For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org